Reloading 9mm - worth it?

[Diabolus]

I'm considering getting into reloading and I shoot 9mm a lot. I can purchase a decent brand of ammo for around $250 per 1000.

I'm very new to this, so I did a quick price check and I'm over $300 per 1000 rounds if I try to reload, and that's not including the powder.

And I just pricing it out using the high-end components?

Is reloading 9mm just not worth it?

Thanks

[mnguyen84]

all units are 1k:

115gr winchester bullets ($85) + primer ($30) + used brass ($35) = $150 (before tax and powder)

obviously these figures are not exact as prices varies depending on your supplier; and if you buy online then there's shipping + bio fees. That being said, you can buy used brass from some dude on the forum... he ships 1k for $35. else, you can just save up the brass. Is it worth it? depends.... if you have a life then no, obviously reloading to save some pennies isn't time effective. on the other hand, if you dont have a life and you really enjoy reloading..then yes.

[stphnman20]

It just depends how often you shoot..

[C.W.M.V.]

are you shooting gold bullets?
Reloading anything is worth it if only for the quality you get.

[joelogic]

I am reloading 9mm for less than $.10 a round with range pick up brass.

[Fishslayer]

What are you figuring dollar-wise for brass? I gave up trying... some of my brass was free (pickups). Some of my brass was cheap (bought used). The most expensive components for me are always the bullets.

I shoot .45ACP & .357, but for 9mm I would say yes, it's worth it. Not only from a $$$ standpoint, but simply because I really get a lot of enjoyment from retiring to my man cave & assembling some ammo.

Oh... and you will save no money. You'll just shoot a lot more.

[CalNRA]

I'm very new to this, so I did a quick price check and I'm over $300 per 1000 rounds if I try to reload, and that's not including the powder.

can you show a breakdown of costs? no way reloading 9mm should cost that much.

[at_liberty]

I prefer to shoot 124 gr, while economy ammo is usually 115. I also have 147 to load for bowling pin matches, minor caliber, for much better knock down. Reloading allows doing exactly what you want to.

I just bought 500 rounds on sale of 115 gr Blazer Brass at $10 a box. At that price, reloading isn't really about saving money, especially if putting value on your time.

Case prep of 9 mm has some extra steps involved.. The first thing I do is sort on headstamp. Some will be scrap, but usually a problem will apply to an entire headstamp group or one gun that was shooting a particular brand. I presize and gauge everything, so it's a PITA because the cases are tapered and won't run through any full length die like a debulger. If they don't gauge, I toss 'em.

[Diabolus]

Thanks for the info, I got some emails last night from someone I met locally at the gun range with much better pricing. I was putting my numbers together from big retailers and that's obviously not the way to go.

I plan on shooting a lot so I'm going to look into a Lee Progressive 1000.

[gau17]

here is my cost for 9mm

Motana Gold 124 gr JHP (3750) $300.00 shipped!
Primers 1000 CCI 500 $30.00 bought from Calgunner.
Powder VV N320 1lb. $26.00 plus ship & hazmat (can make 1200 rounds).
Brass = free. I pick up my old stuff.

4.1 gr VVN 320, 124 JHP seated to 1.30. super accurate out of my G17 & Sig 226.

[CSACANNONEER]

First, reloading 9mm is not going to save you a fortune. But, you will be able to taylor make your ammo to exactly fit your needs. You can reuse your brass until you loose it so, you should not have to spend much on brass. My cost on reloading 9mm is about $40/1000. I still have a lot of primers that I paid about $20/lb for and I figure $20/lb for powder is more than enough. I tend to buy 8lb jugs for a lot less. I cast my own bulletsfrom scronged lead so, it costs me time and about $1.50/1000 in bullet lube. Brass is free.

[Diabolus]

I plan on shooting a lot so any extra savings would be great, plus I want to get into reloading for rifle in the future.

[f4tweet]

Yes.

[eaglemike]

here is my cost for 9mm

Motana Gold 124 gr JHP (3750) $300.00 shipped!
Primers 1000 CCI 500 $30.00 bought from Calgunner.
Powder VV N320 1lb. $26.00 plus ship & hazmat (can make 1200 rounds).
Brass = free. I pick up my old stuff.

4.1 gr VVN 320, 124 JHP seated to 1.30. super accurate out of my G17 & Sig 226.

Just a quick question. Are you sure you load those to an OAL of 1.30? Did you really mean 1.130? I'm pretty sure 1.30 won't fit in the mag's.

all the best,
Mike

[gau17]

sorry 1.130 +-.002